Author Archives: ~~Rhonda

Living in a small town, I share my life with my husband Russell (married in 1977), five children (one still at home), and six cats (one indoors, the others outside).

I teach an online class called “The Christmas Notebook” which is about all things holiday prep. The many facets of celebrating Christmas comprises one of my favorite hobbies. Other favorite things include gardening, reading, cooking, and scrapbooking.

apricot jam ~ sunny summer goodness

The apricot tree was loaded with fruit this year. After seeing the deer and the groundhog help themselves to fallen fruit, we sent the girls out to collect the yummy nuggets so we could make apricot jam. The first thing that had to be done was cull the fruit. A lot was thrown out, but […]

today’s favorites

Here are a few of my favorites from the daylilies blooming today. ‘Jedi Tequila Sunrise’ ‘Last Picture Show’ ‘Lilting Lavender’ ‘Fooled Me’ ‘Metaphor’ ‘Second Hand Rose’ ‘Arctic Snow’ ‘Siamese Royalty’ ‘Night Beacon’ Can’t wait to see what opens tomorrow! Visit other gardens and see what’s blooming there at Jean’s Bloomin’ Tuesday. ~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ june 14, 2010

It’s hot and humid outside, but the garden is a blaze of glorious color and it’s impossible to stay inside when the daylilies are in full bloom. My choices for the menu are easy-to-make ones. Pizza Hut is a special request from DD#1 who will be leaving this week for a summer in NY. Chicken […]

99 down, 276 to go

Currently, we have 375 daylilies in our database. As of yesterday, 99 of the cultivars have bloomed. Only 276 to go! Keeping up with FFOs (first flower out) right now is keeping us busy. Here are a few pictures from the garden this morning. This picture from the front of the house does not show […]

zookeeper for a day

DD had the opportunity to participate in the “Zookeeper for a Day” program at the St. Louis Zoo. She had a wonderful time and wants to do it again next summer. The program took place at the Children’s Zoo, where all the kids have fun! The junior zookeepers are paired with a zookeeper for the […]

along the same lines…

…as my last post…here are more daylilies blossoms. ‘Orphan’s Picnic’ is a gorgeous pink double. With a large blossom, ‘Jolly White Giant’ is a real standout! It’s easy to see how ‘Pittsburgh Golden Triangle’ got its name…at least the “golden triangle” part! 🙂 ‘Bridal Moment’ is a soft peachy pink. ‘Serena Dance’ is anything but […]

daylily season is in full swing

The past week, the daylilies have been opening one after another. Every day, DH and I tour the garden to see what has opened. We are in the early to mid season now. We have more than 365 different cultivars, so there will be a lot more to bloom as June and July roll by. […]

menu plan monday ~ June 7, 2010

Daylily season is here and we are spending every possible moment in the yard. While the daylilies call from the garden, our menus will contain a lot of quick and easy food. The exception to that general rule is tonight. Yesterday afternoon, DH and I drove to my niece’s house and picked up ten chickens […]

beautiful hydrangeas

Last summer, our hydrangeas did poorly, but this year, they are loaded. Tricia, they remind me of your wedding. 🙂 Happy anniversary, soon! Hydrangeas along the north wall of the addition. Next to the front porch… This is the first year this particular shrub has bloomed well for us. I don’t know the cultivar name. […]

end of spring, beginning of summer

I don’t know about you, but in my book (official calender designation not withstanding), the end of May is the end of spring. June 1 brings summer, not June 21. For me. In my garden. In my mind. And I can see summer coming on strong as I take a look around the garden. I […]